A Man's World ~ Mike Z.

Hello there, My name is Michael, my friends call me Mike. My father was in the military, and was very seldom around.I am the oldest of three kids. (That I know of)

Let me start at the beginning, I was 5 years old when my parents split up. I believe it was because my mom would cheat on my dad, or both were, I am not certain.

Anyway my mom started seeing other guys and one of them would get my mom drunk and do drugs. He would beat her when she tried to speak up or do what she wanted to. Then one morning, I tried to stop him, and I got beat up to.

Then one night it got worse, he decided I need to learn more respect and begin doing things to me that I down right hated. He touched me and forced himself on me, saying I need to be taught a lesson, if I didn't like it, he would beat up my mom.

So like a good little puppy, I took the abuse., this went on for thew next 2 to 3 years. It wasn't until he beat my mom up too bad that the neighbors called the police.

My younger brother, Avery was like 3 and mom just had a baby little girl, we called her Sam,. The state came in and took us away, and placed us with different foster families.

Before we were taken, I was very messed up, had accidents in school, was bullied, made fun of, it was terrible. It wasn't until I got counseling and discussing what happened to me, that I went to college and now have my own beautiful family. I never got into drugs, which I am thankful for and now I am a teacher and look out for kids who might be getting abused.

I want to thank Mandie and her husband Curt, for giving me the courage to talk about it and look for ways to help children and adults. I am here if you need any help.

Blessings,

Mike Z.